Aim and Purpose. Biofilms in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are extremely difficult to eliminate. Aim of this study is to evaluate\nthe efficacy of a mixture of four D-amino acids on biofilm dispersion in DUWLs. Materials and Methods. A mixture of four\nD-amino acids (D-methionine, D-tryptophan, D-leucine, and D-tyrosine, 10 mM each), distilled water (control), and 0.1 M\nhydrochloric acid (HCl) was used in the experiment. In laboratory, pieces of DUWLs covered with biofilms were submerged in\ndifferent solutions for 5 days, flushed, and measured OD600 of the dispersed biofilms. Remnants of biofilms on the DUWLs were\nevaluated by SEM. In clinic, fifteen DCUs were incubated with test and control solutions, flushed, and measured OD600 of the\ndispersed biofilms. Microbial count of DUWL output water was enumerated twice a week for four weeks. Results. There was\na slight, but not significant, increase in OD600 of flushing water in D-amino acids group. D-amino acids effectively reduced\nbacterial plaque as demonstrated by SEM. Incubation with D-amino acids significantly reduced biofilms especially after the first\nday of flushing. Bacterial count in DUWL output water was significantly reduced after treatment with D-amino acids. Conclusion.\nD-amino acids are applicable as biofilm dispersing agents in DUWLs.
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